Warren-Trumbull Main Library Celebrates Grand Reopening Today

WARREN – The Warren-Trumbull County Library along with the Sutliff Museum reopens to the public today following an 18-month expansion project.

The reopening celebration will include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., along with scheduled entertainment throughout today.

“It’s been very exciting to see all the changes come together and I think people will be very happy when they can come back,” said Cheryl Bush, marketing and public relations manager for the library.

“At the heart of the project is the 14,800 square foot addition and that will house our youth space,” she said, noting the new area will include both a new children’s space and a teen area for those in grades 7th through 12th. Additionally, there are meeting rooms, larger ones for small community events of up to 120 people and smaller study rooms.

The new space is designed to better support the technology needs of the community and meet the new demands of today. The meeting rooms can be reserved by calling the library.

The existing 58,000 square-foot part of the library, which opened in 1971, also was renovated during the construction with the addition of a fire sprinkler system, new LED lighting, as well as updated palette for the walls and modern carpeting.

The work began in April 2021 and was completed in several phases before the whole library closed on Feb. 28 so that the last phase could be completed.

The project was designed by architectural firm Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates Inc., based in Warren, while VendRick Construction of Brookfield was awarded the $4.7 million building contract. At the time when the contract began, the projection for the project was 18 to 24 months and the project was completed right at the 18-month mark.

“There were a few supply chain delays, but it really didn’t affect the final timeline,” Bush said.

The library staff is looking forward to welcoming the public back as is the staff of the Sutliff Museum. The museum, housed on the second floor of the library, celebrates the Sutliff family, their influence during the abolitionist movement and Victorian era and the family’s legacy in the Warren area.

Also reopening today is the Sutliff Museum, which closed in September 2021 to accommodate the construction project. Today’s events at the museum will include make-your-own handkerchief doll and thaumatrope, a museum scavenger hunt and a hands-on, interactive 19th century display.

Grand reopening events at the library include:

• Live music with Davis and Henner, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wonderful World of Bubbles with Mr. Zap, 11:30 a.m.
• West African drumming and dance with Sogbety Diomande, 1 p.m.
• Live music with The Cue, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• “Big Splash!” puppet show, 2:30 p.m.

Additionally, there will be gaming in the new Teen Central area; a balloon artist Nate the Great; and a chance for children to meet storybook characters Elephant and Piggie from the popular books by Mo Willems.

The library is open today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and patrons will be welcome to join the in the celebration, enjoy complementary refreshments and check out books. On Monday, the library will return to pre-pandemic hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays.

The Sutliff Museum also will resume regular hours next week, from 1 to 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Fridays.

Pictured at top: Warren library reference desk area.

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